View source for WHEE-LO

{{Short description|Child toy based on magnets}}
[[File:WHEE-LO toy box.jpg|thumb|upright=0.50|Box for a WHEE-LO toy]]
[[File:Magnet Space Wheel.jpg|thumb|The Schylling "magnetic gyro toy" has a design that is very similar to the original WHEE-LO toy.]]
'''WHEE-LO''' is a [[trademark]] for a handheld toy that propels a plastic wheel along both sides of a metal track with magnets built into the wheel. As the track is tilted up and down, the wheel rolls the length of the track, top and bottom, and then again on the opposite side of the wire. In this way, the wheel always keeps in contact with the track, and can be continually propelled on its cyclical course. With proper timing, the wheel can be brought to a great speed. The trademark was first registered in 1958, but the toy had been marketed in 1953 by the Maggie Magnetic company in [[New York City]]. It included six colorful cardboard cutout discs ("Whee-lets") that attached to the wheel and created optical illusions as it spun.<ref>{{cite web |title=WHEE-LO - Trademark Details |url=https://trademarks.justia.com/750/76/whee-lo-75076965.html |accessdate=2024-02-14 |work=Justia Trademarks |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214125222/https://trademarks.justia.com/750/76/whee-lo-75076965.html |archive-date=2024-02-14 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Burlingame>{{Cite web | url=http://burlingamepezmuseum.com/classictoy/wheelo.html |title=Welcome to the Classic Toy Museum - WHEE-LO |publisher=Classic Toy Museum |location=Burlingame, California, United States  |archive-date=17 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217235922/http://burlingamepezmuseum.com/classictoy/wheelo.html }} The Classic Toy Museum closed around 2014.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=WHEE-LO |url=https://nostalgiacentral.com/pop-culture/toys-games/whee-lo/ |first=David |last=Turner |work=Nostalgia Central |accessdate=February 13, 2024}}</ref>
In his autobiography, ''The Stringless Yo-yo'', [[Harvey Matusow]] states that he invented the toy and sold the rights to the Maggie Magnetic company in the early 1950s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.experimentis.de/physikalisches_spielzeug/whee-lo-rail-twirler/ |first=Natalie |last=Amecke |date=2024 |work=Experimentis: Physik für Alle |language=de |title=Whee-Lo, Light Up Gyro Wheel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514152710/https://www.experimentis.de/physikalisches_spielzeug/whee-lo-rail-twirler/ |archive-date=2016-05-14 |url-status=live |quote=(translated quote) The toy was invented by the American Harvey Matusow (1926-2002); he named it the "stringless yo-yo". In the early 1950s he sold the rights to the New York company Maggie Magnetic Inc.. The company brought the toy to market in 1953 with the name "WHEE-LO, the magnetic walking wheel.}} This summary is based on the Sussex University archives of Matusow's papers and other materials.</ref>
Over the years, several other companies have marketed related toys with different names. As of 2024, the Schylling company manufactures a "Magnetic gyro wheel" toy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Magnetic Gyro Wheel |url=https://schylling.com/product/magnetic-gyro-wheel/ |accessdate=February 15, 2024 |publisher=Schylling Corp. |location=North Andover, Massachusetts, United States}}</ref> The Ipidi company manufactures a toy titled "Retro Magic Rail Twirler".<ref>{{cite web |title=Retro Magic Rail Twirler |url=https://www.ipidipitoys.com/products/retro-magic-rail-twirler-3-pack-light-up-magnetic-stocking-stuffers-for-kids-sensory-toy-with-spinning-wheel-and-flashing-leds-rail-twister-vintage-fidget-toy-for-adults-children-3-colors |accessdate=February 15, 2024 |publisher=Ipidipi Toys Corp. |location=Minden, Nevada, United States}}</ref>
A plastic piece at one end of the track serves as both a handhold for the toy and an adjustable slider to position the width of the track. The narrower the track, the faster the wheel goes, because the axle is thicker in the middle and you get more distance per each rotation of the wheel. Widen the track, and the wheel goes slower.
==Cultural References==
-In S4E25 of Family Guy, news anchor Tom Tucker says, "and now this!" and begins playing with a WHEE-LO during a broadcast. He continues, "Look at that. In the thirties, they called this an Uncle Spinny Dervish," to which co-anchor Diane Simmons replies, "Really?" Tom answers, "I don't know, I'm just bored."
==References==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Magnetic devices]]
[[Category:Mechanical toys]]
{{toy-stub}}